One Size Doesn't Fit All: Using Factor Analysis to Gather Validity Evidence When Using Surveys in Your Research

Across all sciences, the quality of measurements is important. Survey measurements are only appropriate for use when researchers have validity evidence within their particular context. Yet, this step is frequently skipped or is not reported in educational research. This article briefly reviews the a...

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Vydáno v:CBE life sciences education Ročník 18; číslo 1; s. rm1
Hlavní autoři: Knekta, Eva, Runyon, Christopher, Eddy, Sarah
Médium: Journal Article
Jazyk:angličtina
Vydáno: United States 01.03.2019
Témata:
Biology - education
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Goals
Humans
Models, Educational
Reproducibility of Results
Sample Size
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
ISSN:1931-7913, 1931-7913
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Shrnutí:Across all sciences, the quality of measurements is important. Survey measurements are only appropriate for use when researchers have validity evidence within their particular context. Yet, this step is frequently skipped or is not reported in educational research. This article briefly reviews the aspects of validity that researchers should consider when using surveys. It then focuses on factor analysis, a statistical method that can be used to collect an important type of validity evidence. Factor analysis helps researchers explore or confirm the relationships between survey items and identify the total number of dimensions represented on the survey. The essential steps to conduct and interpret a factor analysis are described. This use of factor analysis is illustrated throughout by a validation of Diekman and colleagues' goal endorsement instrument for use with first-year undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students. We provide example data, annotated code, and output for analyses in R, an open-source programming language and software environment for statistical computing. For education researchers using surveys, understanding the theoretical and statistical underpinnings of survey validity is fundamental for implementing rigorous education research.
Bibliografie:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:1931-7913
1931-7913
DOI:10.1187/cbe.18-04-0064